he is quite close to mitt romney. he knew him before -- >> how about the fact, i was going to say, how about the fact today he will speak by phone to both. a world leader doing that -- >> that's a danger for him, i have known him a long time. he is always moving forward. the danger is that he can involve himself too demonstrably in the american election this time with the kinds of statements he has been making, positions he has been taking. he is imposing himself on what the american people need to decide for themselves. >> take it in the reverse, how often, you could say in not so friendly democracies, america over the years may have gotten involved in leadership elections, but in some of the most friendly allies, how often do american presidents do that? >> they generally stand back, let the american people make a decision. in fact, at this time which is a volatile time in that part of the world, what is also striking to me is that this gives president obama cover to some degree, not just on the iran issue. >> take